Travel Indonesia Blog

Young diver dreams a house in West Java -

Kyle Blakeway love of the ocean runs deep: it started when he earns his Junior Open Water diving license -er ten years old- in over the years flourished, as his passion to Egypt and the Gilis and eventually manifests itself in the purchase of took him "Cecilia Ann", a 60-foot ketch sailboat anchored in Anyer, West Java, and itching to take tourists on Krakatau, Ujung Kulon National Park, Panaitan and to explore further afield.

Blakeway allegedly came to Jakarta five months ago to visit his parents. But as he wanted the chance to buy a boat landing.

"I have lived in Australia, and I was always to buy a boat ... always ask around and checked the Internet," says Blakeway. "But then I came back to Jakarta and one of my mom's friends actually knew someone a sale and when I saw the Cecilia Ann-I just knew I wanted it."

But to offer then is again designed ample room on top of something like the Cecilia Ann, the wide-decked ship, for up to 10 chartered as a live-aboard day trips or to sleep up to 35 guests, which the young entrepreneurs was the Cecilia Ann took over recently and Java Sea Charters had, his life dreamed by almost half.

for more than half of his life, a certified open water diver was, experience is something that carries 22 years in spades.

born in Cape Town, South Africa, and from Athens to Sri Lanka Blakeway, the applicable started at the age of 10 diving around the through everywhere, seemed somehow the four cabin boat, to determine at the end to owning, what world class diving trips and surf charter along West Java and to the Sunda Strait.

Certified before he was a teenager, and his excellent Padi instructor certification at 18, has him Blakeway passion for diving and open water led to some of the most exotic and sought after diving locations on the planet, sacred places as Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and the famous Gili Islands in Lombok here.

Jakartans always complain about in the city stuck for the weekend. But what they do not know how easy it is to be in the water and explore Ujung Kulon Panaitan or the wrecks of two USS Houston "The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast" from places like Krakatau National Park, and the HMAS Perth resting after during the battle of Sunda Strait, now torpedoed firmly at the bottom of Banten Bay on the lip of the Sunda Strait in 1942nd

says Some of the best diving in all Java, Blakeway, is right under our noses.

"You do not need to go to Bali or Lombok and the Gilis to get your diving license. It is just around the corner, here in West Java. It is a weekend."

the best way to spend a weekend to make it to charter the boat with a few friends or colleagues, and contact with Blakeway who has his specialty Padi license, and a plan diagram.

"How do we do it at the moment is weekend travel we do. They come Friday after work and you eat dinner at Blue Moon, it is a nice little restaurant, two minutes walk from the port and then at about 21:00 to go up on the boat and go to sleep and then wake up in the morning and you are on Krakatau. So it's Friday night, Saturday night and then in the afternoon, come back Sunday at about 4 or 5 o'clock "

More importantly, the young entrepreneurs his passion is keen to hand over to the next generation.

"We want the boat out about 20 times a month. I mean, there are a lot of dive shops here in Jakarta, but none of them are really tap into the schools. We definitely want to to open up the schools and to get the children out of there. "

Java Sea Charters offers Junior Open Water courses for ten and eleven year olds, while more experienced divers their advanced, can earn nitrox, deep diving, wreck diving or fishing identification Padi courses, all perfect two-day weekend excursions that are five dives.

But it is not just about the legendary surf or one-of-a-kind under ~~ POS = TRUNC experiences available for Blakeway it comes to sustainability and the reefs of West Java for the next to obtain generation.

Java Sea Charters, on a project works hand in hand with the World Wildlife Federation from called "Build Your Own Reef" where divers combat the effects of dynamite fishing to spend the weekend off the coast of Unjung Kulon of transplanted corals areas unaffected by the bombing on concrete slabs built by local villagers harvested Refit to create new coral colonies help section to help reconstruction and sustainability.

"the WWF According to the coral design a very high success rate," says Corine-Hahn, the former owner of Celcia Ann and one of the founders of the project.

Tap that the project explained, which celebrates its fifth annual dive and reconstruction weekend on 18 and 19 June has an 80 percent recovery rate of growth along the 25 plates divers and locals have laid help to coral regeneration offer.

"The weekend is all returned to something. It's a small project, but we do not have much to do, involved get to the divers. They are interested in the area on the restoration they love. The divers want their children to enjoy the coral to be able to. "

Diving Wakatobi -

" What a great idea - if only I had thought it: take a trip to paradise, stay in a comfortable bed, by boat, snorkeling and diving every day come around like there's no tomorrow, and take a look with the locals for some interactions ;. not much, but definitely meaningful "

That was the plan.

Sun a few weeks ago, in early October I went on a vacation with a group of friends and their children (we were aged 5 to 48 years old) to Wakatobi. Wakatobi is an acronym of the four main Tukang Besi Islands - WA ngi-Wangi, KA ledupa to mia, and BI nongko. It is an archipelago located in one of the richest marine hotspots on Earth. 1996 Indonesian government Wakatobi was area as Wakatobi Marine Conservation. In 02, the Wakatobi National Park was established has cover an area of ​​1.39 million hectares, and since 05 UNESCO this park was listed as tentative World Heritage Site. It is rumored that Jacques Cousteau was satisfied enough to maintain this area, as possibly the best diving in the world. There are some truths in it; The world has more than 850 coral species, about 750 of them are found in Wakatobi. Compare that to 50 species in the Caribbean islands and 300 species in the Red Sea.

was to get to Wakatobi quite difficult. With the remote site at the bottom corner of Southeast Sulawesi province in central Indonesia and the high seas during the rainy season, for many years the limited infrastructure in Wakatobi visitors had allowed to enjoy this paradise in plenty of rest and solitude, away from prowling tourists , Things are changing slowly since the Wakatobi government a regional airport in 09. At the time of Wakatobi Airport on Wangi-Wangi Island opens serviced by daily Express Air flights from the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi that and a hub for several domestic airlines also serves a few direct international flights. If traveling in a group, choose a group check-in, as Express Air has a limited baggage allowance of 10 kg per person. Then ... what about the diving equipment? Excess baggage is charged extra kg between Rp.25,000-40,000 /. (Ouch!)

. For more scenic routes and those who are not in a hurry, there are boats and ferries from the cities of Kendari, building construction and a few other small ports around This "free" options take anything from 4 hours to 2.5 days before one of Wakatobi passenger seaports arrive!

Unlike my previous trips to Wakatobi, where I had to stay in modest hostels lack of better options on Wangi -Wangi Iceland, this time I have in the recently reviewed open Patuno Beach Resort. What we experienced there as a group exceeded our expectations by far, from the moment their friendly staff came to pick us up at the airport, up to the last day of our stay. Our daily breakfast consisted of local filled with fresh seafood dishes or varieties of western deals. The resort has standard rooms, deluxe rooms and executive suites. Our group was booked in all three types of rooms, and we were pleased with our personal choices. If their room rates (between Rp.500,000 to 1,500,000 / night) are a little steep for the budget, the hostels and "losmens" in "Downtown" Wanci - the capital of Wakatobi - offer rooms between Rp.100,000 to 250,000 / night. Words of warning: you get what you pay

Our holiday began and ended at the beach or in the sea to play with !. There were 18 of us on this trip. Every day with two boats, we would on an island or another, in search of good diving spots and slowly enjoy the rides dare from. Some days we have two dives, others had three. We determined that it was not really good dive sites, but there were only a better and best spots! We stopped breathtaking walls with hard and soft corals to find covers to inspire to many colorful fish, graceful sea turtles and smaller ray, different eels, Slugs, various kinds of pygmy and shining sea snakes each of us home! The giant gorgonians were in abundance, as were sponges and crinoids. I felt personally like diving in a "fish soup", as they were no longer the daily fish. Frogfish, barracudas, snappers, lionfish sweetlips, boxfish, ghost pipefish, angelfish, leaf fish, several species of anemone fish, mackerel, squid, crocodile, batfish ... and as far as I was concerned, the list has not. In addition, easy to find gazillion kinds of other small and miniature floating things that were hard to miss, and.

. For the younger children and the adults do not dive, they also enjoyed the crystal clear blue water snorkeling, and the diversity of coral and fish in less depth Also with the help of the friendly staff of Patuno Beach Resort, we could also various lunch and snacks on secluded white sand beaches, soft and airy Wind to enjoy under the coconut trees. Fine dining à la tropical paradise, and we never had to repeat any settings!

The nice surprise we find another dive site, one morning had on the way, hundreds of wild dolphins spotting. Bottlenose was safe, and some appeared to be Melonhead dolphins! Which feasts for the eyes!

Realize how important Wakatobi National Park not only opted for Indonesia, but also in the world of our group, even with some of the local middle and high school students to join. One morning we walked a beach of waste to clean and garbage, and another afternoon we worked together to bring garbage to a historic public bath cave. These collaborations also allows local students to practice speaking English with the teenagers in our group. While in another trip to a Sea Gypsy Village, our multinational children had the opportunity to learn from the local children on to how to maneuver their traditional canoes. Priceless!

Behind the blue sky and sea, Wakatobi also offers rich crops such as local dances, hand-woven cloths and traditional wet markets full of colors. And I'll be back.

Get Some Fresh Air Bandung -

If Bandung visit there are many attractions and parks in the surrounding mountains to explore. Included among these are waterfalls, lush tropical rainforests and markets, some of whom may not know.

Curug Cibareubeuy

Curug Cibareubeuy (Curug means waterfall in Sudan) was once a popular weekend destination for tourists and locals adventurers. Now unfortunately the trail and facilities are overgrown and leave the main gateway.

While a little off the beaten path, Curug Cibareubeuy is only an hour's drive from Bandung near Ciater, where to the right follow the main road turn a narrow road past hot springs resorts for 10-15 minutes to the village Cibeusi. In these days of the start of the track is quite hard to find, but if you ask the people on the ground in Cibeusi, they will assist with directions. The entrance is just a dirt track that starts steeply on the right side of the road. As you squirm your way up the hill there is a broken and partially overgrown concrete way takes away from vegetable gardens on the left side and a relaxation area with a few huts. Further, located on the main access, where you have an option, sharp turn to the right and climb upward briefly on a mountain path that follows the ridge. This is a good track, although watch out for the occasional low branch. Alternatively, you can go straight to a broken concrete path running alongside a water canal. That's pretty damp in parts, especially in places where the dam is broken.

Overall, the path from the road to the waterfall is about 5 km, you can take through the thick vegetation, which is kept lush and green from an average rainfall of 00 mm per year. From the valley far below you the dull rattle of peasants can hear voices, the rice fields and the sound of the fast flowing river tends fed by waterfall to electricity. If you select the track on the high side of the ridge, you have to turn left, when it ends and then turn off after the river on a bamboo bridge to the right, which is the entrance to a small village retreat with straw huts scattered among the rocks and gardens. This is a charming place and an inviting rest area for visitors.

Just a few hundred meters to the waterfall appear suddenly and simultaneously drowned the roar of the waterfall the omnipresent noise or the birds and insects. The final challenge to reach the rock pool at the bottom of the waterfall is climbing over the rocks and climb alongside the water's edge to a viewpoint. Depending on weather conditions, the spray can be refreshing or uncomfortably cold, but despite this strip temptation and jump into the pool and shower under the waterfall is hard to resist. In addition, the experience is on a hot day thoroughly invigorating and a memorable experience, well worth the effort.

The journey is relatively simple back, but caution must be taken in the narrow way, where the dam is broken away in places and near the road where the last path downhill to rain is very slippery.
return to Bandung, you can lunch in the Ciater hot trap sources. If so, the Gracia Spa Resort is highly recommended. The entrance can be found a few kilometers on the left side of the road to Bandung.

Pasar Minggon

If you like the street markets, there is a particular one I would recommend that are not good for the visitors from outside Bandung is known. It's called "Pasar Mingon" what a market means that is only open on Sundays. Located on one of the ridges that run down from Lembang to Ciumbuleuit, this particular area is also called Punclut.

The most popular entry into the market is at the forefront of Jl. Ciumbuleuit where if you turn left at the roundabout, it is 0 meters up the road on the right side. From the beginning, you will be amazed at how busy this narrow street market increases and overcomes the ridge several kilometers. This is a very fascinating experience that stimulated with a cacophony of market sounds, vivid colors and infinite variety of flavors of Padang and Sudanese restaurants and takeaways all senses.

The audience a mixture thereof is their Sunday morning exercises get, bargain hunters, hikers and enjoy thousands of people their makan pagi (breakfast) on a large scale. In addition to the market, the other main attraction is the view of Bandung from dozens of eating houses with local and coastal food - steamed, grilled, fried, you name it - seafood, offal, beef rendang, sop buntut, corn fritters, croquettes, tofu, tempe , spicy chicken, snails, exotic fruits and vegetables, etc. for all these people have many tons of food brought his overnight there to do justice to this feeding frenzy to operate on the market.

to addition to the endless food stalls, the street, there are clothes of all kinds, shoes, hats, sarongs, gadgets and potions, the key here is the line along by the crowd supported to resist and stop the time can, take and for many treasures to be found to look.

the other way to the street markets can be seen to take a vehicle to the top of Jalan Dago and turn towards the school Stanford international left. Drive past the school until the end of the road and turn right and follow the road to the top of the ridge. From here it's all downhill, passing many food stalls and restaurants, most on the left side, with stunning views over Bandung. If you have a driver, ask him to drop you off and meet at the roundabout at the top of Jl. Ciumbuleuit. Depending on how fast you walk and often you have to stop for food, or to buy different nick knacks, then it should take between one and two hours. If not the shopping type, you do not put you off this fabulous foot. It's just a fantastic experience to share the morning air with thousands of others to get their weekly exercise.

If you like outdoor markets, this one has a real buzz.

hllnd_bb@yahoo.com.au For more information about any of the above, contact

Mads Johansen Lange: A Danish adventurer nicknamed "King of Bali" -

Most people know Kuta as hedonistic resort where everything is possible. It is a Phuket-on-Bintang, just about the only place in the archipelago where public displays of drunkenness are tolerated.

The booths and stands, which are the early visitors, hippies and backpackers in the 70s makes welcome way for glitzy shopping malls and 5-star luxury, as Bali is experiencing a tourism boom, after a welcome change the double bombings at the beginning of the 21st century saw the sun and surf seekers look elsewhere for their jollies come.

It has an element of raffish trade on Kuta long ago. While the interior of Bali, with its rice terraces and ritually marked Lifestyle, fought a war of annihilation by war among themselves, Kuta, on the peninsula south of the island was perfectly situated for trade; its easy access to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean on its two flanks it meant was able to take advantage of the winds that closed for months other left less blessed ports.

There was Kuta entrepôt than a trade that first attracted a Danish adventurer, entrepreneur and chancer named Mads Lange. given the violent gang that terrorized the area in the 1850s, it is unlikely Lange, would often lost along with the rest of the small expat economy who have called Kuta home to the famous beach, the surf crashing in or enjoy the famous to see sunset.

their days would have spent to make money, withdraw its evenings to their connections to the sounds of the jungle and the blood clots blocking roars local racket to take solace in their memories of home.

Certainly his connection had everything the 19th century to keep the trader / adventurer happy. In addition to the halls (pendopos) that were used for trade, he held a wine cellar, a music room and a pool table. Then as now, conversation was an essential part in the economy and long lists of its beach residence impress.

Lange was already familiar with not only Bali, but much of the rest of the Dutch East Indies. He had spent several years moving to the neighboring island of Lombok, where he had cosied with Raja, while a business competitor had been to another potentate nearby; Politics and economics are as inseparable from then and now.

he had left his native Denmark when he was just 19 years old, to the east, like so many these days has hoping to make his mark in Asia, was then quite below the European yoke ,

It was in 1834 that he was known to begin in constant, which should be later than Indonesia his business empire. He, along with a Scottish partner with extensive contacts throughout the region, opened a trading post in Ampenan. As a company, he expanded a shipyard opened nearby and Harbourmaster (Shahbandar) from the local raja appointed, a very lucrative position, since it allows him to take a section of customs duties on ships that use the port.

Lombok in those days a volatile place was challenged openly with scrutiny for the various micro-states on the island by the local potentates, Balinese and the Dutch, after that could best serve their interests.

, the Danish businessman supported the wrong Raja and was forced to flee the island, because only 24 hours to close his business and be gone. He jumped on the narrow road to Bali and settled in a small trading post called Kuta down.

The Lesser Sundas the name of the island group is given, which stretch east of Java. When Europeans in the archipelago crashed a bridgehead in the valuable spice trade to get them focused their attention on Sumatra, Java and the Moluccas. But there were still opportunities for qualified entrepreneurs in the smaller islands, including Bali to obtain; especially if you know the language, how long did.

When he restarted in Kuta came with suspected him the local Dutch market place looking for, but a long time it did not matter. He used his contacts to make money, and perhaps one of its outlets was the fact that he was not Dutch! The dominant European power in the region were forced to take a backseat to a long and ultimately realism took over from the colonial dreams of Dutch hegemony and she decided the best thing she could hope for was working with the Dane well entrenched.

[1945006SicherlichhatteLangeguteKontakteinbeidenLagern] , which uses it as a broker or deal depending on their own needs and desires. But Lange played the game for himself as much as anyone else. He was not a benevolent Westerners seduced by the charm of Bali rice terraces and temples; he was a hard-nosed businessman of his time and include the times, wanted to trade a high after commodity; Balinese slaves.

After 19 years in Southeast Asia, Lange took his mind at home often turn, but return was not an easy task. With the Suez Canal still a pipe dream, a trip home meant over the vast Indian Ocean wandering and rounding the Cape of Good Hope; a journey that is not counted in weeks months.

he wrote a last letter to a good friend of his on strips of palm leaves. In it, he referred to his trip to Denmark and he indicated that he may never return, when he said: ". From my return I will not speak" He died shortly before he was to set sail, according to rumors he was poisoned.

Long was known to have two women while he lived in Bali; a modest number in those days. One was Balinese, the other Chinese. With the Chinese woman he had a daughter named Cecilia Catharina who marry a future Sultan of Johor was the, as they say, is another story!

If you are interested to know more about Mads Lange and the early days of Kuta as a place of business Check-out Bali Chronicles of Willard A. Hanna.

The Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park: The Best of Bromo for free -

We have all seen, removed the iconic image of a sunrise filtering through a big cloud filled Caldera stoically puffing with Mount Bromo, Mount Batok and Mount Semeru. Beautifully packaged in a picture perfect shot, which is the essential Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.

This park covers a whooping 800 square kilometers, 2,100 meters above sea level. What we see now is old again to around 450,000 years before, although part of a larger, ancient volcano.

For travelers, these volcanoes are the most photographed and the most well-known above all others is. The convenience and ease of Bromo visit draws in the masses, as there are no requirements for a grueling eight-hour hike you can see this spectacle. Unfortunately the popularity has brought an overwhelming cohort of unfair and exorbitant tourist usurer with him. I look forward to meeting you -. Tour operators, hoteliers and jeep driver

There is a terrible shame, because a visit Bromo should not be burdened with overpriced jeep trips and hotel rooms. The Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park is a pretty display the power of nature, and we should be able to marvel at, to explore, to look at and admire without a driver on a schedule. The landscape is in a jeep to breeze through to spectacular, and how bad it is for the majority of visitors to the true beauty of the complex to be missed, because. Of the reign of the fly-by Jeep tours

I implore all Bromo to visit and experience the magic of the park, and the best way to do that is to go. Bromo is easy to explore on foot, it is not just for those with a moderate level of fitness, but also a must, as the winter temperatures of the complex make for a pleasant stroll. All walks are used to Cemoro Lawang as a starting point.

Bromo

This volcanic cone emerges from the crater at 133m. Bromo is one of the most active volcanoes in Java currently while inside Bromo cone a turquoise acid lake, with acidity of up to 25%. Do not be fooled, the symptoms, how intrepid mountaineer told me: "It is enough acid to take off your hair."

Go straight past Cafe Java Hotel to the park office, take this road you down all the way to the sea of ​​sand and you will see Bromo advance. Walk straight to the staircase that leads to the edge upwards, just three kilometers and about 45 minutes.

It is possible to walk around the entire rim of the Bromo and to a viewpoint on the second adjacent volcanic cones, which takes about an hour. Although be careful, because the road is narrow and the safety barrier is in a bad state. Also, do not try the way, if the weather make less than perfect because the rain or strong wind for a walk too dangerous.

Sunrise in sight two on the mountain Penanjakan

off from 3:00 is plenty of time to make it from the viewpoint. Take the road past Cemara Indah leading hotel and just follow all the way to the top. The road runs through the village and is very rocky as you start the climb up Mount Penanjakan.

jeeps to view go two will stop halfway and park where they sink passengers. There is a small stable refreshments for sale, and locals offer rides operate the route. Distance is five kilometers away and takes about an hour and a half. Bring a warm jacket because it pretty cold not get Waiting for the Sunrise, and a flashlight is useful to miss the potholes in the road (flashlight app works well, too).

The way back to Cemoro Lawang in the early morning light is stunning; quaint village houses are grown by small vegetables. Sometimes locals look by walking and invite for coffee and a chat, if so, a small donation is expected

Mount Batok

The trail starts behind the toilet block. it is only soft volcanic ash and is very dusty. Three quarters of the way up, the ascent is very steep and unstable in some parts; follow the small red and white tied to the trees flags to make sure you stay on the path. In some places, holding small shrubs grabbing is necessary to rise.

At the top, make sure you mark where the road ends, because there is no mark, and you can easily disoriented and go down the wrong side. My friend made this mistake and was covered down in as much dust as he an offensive player wearing black makeup looked. It is a 45-minute climb to reach the top, bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Climbing Mount Batok is a challenge, but you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the plant.

Laotian Pasir

The Tengger Caldera is to have a sea of ​​sand is the only place in Indonesia. It really is something special, the dust observed impact on the vast area while horses galloping over the gray sand. Walking across the sand sea felt a lunar desert, throw towering to the waves of sand floating shadows and clouds with the crater rim as walking.

The road to and from Bromo, as already mentioned, is simple and fast, so really to immerse themselves in the landscape, there is a long eight kilometers on foot along the Laotian Pasir to Ngadas, from where you can then get to Malang or six kilometers from Jemplang to Ranu Pani go at the base of Semeru. Turn left where the paved road ends and circle the southern left side of Bromo

Semeru

Semeru is the highest volcano in Java at 3,676m and very active. there are mini-eruptions every 30 minutes. Semeru climbing is a tough three day trek, the advanced planning required and recommended only for experienced climbers. Guides are necessary and may in Ranu Pani.

property

midrange hotels abound, Cafe Java and Cemera Indah are arranged popular choice. Any other house seems to be a host family with simple rooms, in IDR beginning 150,000 for a double room.

So if you are planning a trip to Bromo, why not these walking shoes spend for a good cause and the Day Jalan Jalan to the ethereal landscape we have here in Indonesia.

A Little Snip of Heaven -

Indonesia may seek a difficult place for an address. It is no longer a surprise to me that next 101-26 is, and there are three 52 AEOS on a single road. I am not a resident of Bali and while Rob Peetoom Hair Spa Search, a growing sense of frustration from my third time ride was built on Jl. Raya Petitenget. When I finally I was admittedly a little weary in the Hair Spa, but what. For a great place to claim sanctuary after a bit of a mistake as a place of pampering

I went to the reception where the immaculately presented Receptionist greeted me with warmth and my fear, frustration and stress started forward from that moment melting. Rob Peetoom Hair Spa is a beautiful place filled with beautiful well-dressed people. The venue is intimate, open and remains very close to nature. A lily pond keeps the lobby companies with stone steps the way to the salon leads. I had preconceived notions about what my experience would be like; I had high expectations that had Rob Peetoom, AEOS Hair Spa exceeded.

I was scheduled for a 60-minute treatment and a haircut, but found myself a bit nervous about my haircut. Everyone has had at least one hair-disaster; Mine in the range of orange hair, an afro of binding and a boy, AEOS haircut that reduced me to tears. Over the years thinned my trust in hairdressers, and I was less adventurous with styles. to find a good barber, may be difficult. You must be confident that their experience and skills with your individual style to be compatible and to translate what you imagine in a Reality within reason of course. This I believe is not an easy task, and like any form of art, hair cutting is not free from subjective opinions

Hair Consultations are the first step of all treatments. a diagnosis of the condition of your hair and what products were overcome diseases are used. The 60-minute treatment includes a hair-holding and hair mask, head, neck, back and hand massage with hot stone therapy and reflexology. My hair was dry and frizzy therefore the Extreme and Real Control Redken area was used to solve these problems. Rob Peetoom Hair Spa favors Redken because of its quality. I was guided by a thorough explanation through the steps and a short description. The massage and hot stone therapy made me unbended and had regressed my hair to its healthy form.

After the 60-minute treatment, I had the feeling that everything would be in order and the world was happy and carefree, in fact, I was then led into the salon to a chair my hair be cut. Meanwhile, I knew I could relax and enjoy myself as well as my hair in the hands of people was, whose agenda was best look my and feel as opposed to the execution of the latest trend on my hair. I was surprised and delighted when Rob Peetoom came over me cut my hair to give. He asked me what I wanted, and I said, Äúwhatever you think best, AEU, he advised me to say that to Hairdressers be careful who shears are happy. Grossing cut my damaged ends and a cut that flattered my face has been proposed, that is exactly what you want from a haircut. Shaver was used to cut my hair, the preferred Rob because of the fluidity that exists, and although shavers have a mixed reputation, it is much like any artist, AEOS choice in tools to express themselves; Use the tools that you can control the master and to achieve the results that you are looking for. was after a good chat and cut my hair, it was perfectly styled for my face. I was grinning from ear to ear, delighted with a fantastic haircut and a treatment that made me feel wonderful. They would not be able to beat the stupid smile off your face.

A great hairstyle is more than just cut hair. It can give you that the encounter with those hard rock customers to like a bounce in your step, sparkle in your eye or the confidence next week. And even better, even after I have washed my hair, I'm still in love with my new haircut! It isn, Äôt only the great service and the results that the people who find their way to Rob Peetoom Hair Spa. This Hair Spa is the choice for even royalty; You go out confident, relaxed and feel beautiful for a blissful treatment under a peaceful setting, and privacy. The design and location is unique, which is why Rob's Hair Spa introduce in beautiful Bali, chose instead a profitable Jakarta. This is my new piece of heaven on earth, and I will be definitely go back to take a break from reality and only about myself feel good.

Rob Peetoom Hair Spa
Petitenget 16 Seminyak
Bali Indonesia
T: + 62 361 738 363
E: Bali@robpeetoom.nl
www .robpeetoom.nl

Once Upon a Sinking City: The Perpetual Floods of Jakarta -

It is said that in life only two things certain: death and taxes. But if you live in Jakarta, you can add two more to the list: Macet and banjir

come and go government officials, and it seems like none of them can floods keep from Jakarta .. Also winning Governor Joko " Jokowi "Widodo-who visited the capital problematic areas on a daily basis and shows considerable efforts to" fix Jakarta "-was the press quoted as saying:" (dissolving) banjir and Macet taking process, so do not expect I fix it like a god turn his hand. Even the gods can not [solve Jakarta’s floods and traffic jams]. "

it is very unfortunate that Jokowi 100th day evaluation fell on 22 January, in the middle of major flooding the last month. But I do not blame Jokowi.

Nevertheless Jakarta flooding remains a serious concern eternal. Some areas in Jakarta, city planner and head of RuJak.org Marco Kusumawijaya, confirmed at an alarming rate of 18 centimeters per year decline (which is a great person height per decade!) Mainly due to deep well groundwater use and urban development.

Many people with Jakarta fatigued less than stellar water management as to romanticize about the "good old days" under the Dutch rule, if the old channels and were maintained and Batavia was known as "Paris of the East". But not many people know that Batavia was flooded 1665

Batavia was founded in 1619 by the Dutch East India Company. According to historian Bondan Kanumoyoso, a book written on the 17th to 18th centuries, the socio-economic development in Batavia, today the settlement as Jakarta known Old City never had to be a real city, but as the company's Southeast Asian hub for spice trade meant. Ecological considerations were the least of the concerns of society.

The settlement was healthy for the first 30 years to Batavia to Mataram (today Yogyakarta Sultanate) was attacked, so that the Dutch encouraged their isolation and start end the development of new settlements along the river banks of Ciliwung. Sugarcane plantations proliferated south and migrant workers from outside Java were brought, caused deforestation and then flooding.

"But floods in the rainy season is only half the problem. In the dry season there is drought, which caused to stagnate in the channels muddy water and breeding grounds for pathogens such as malaria-bearing mosquitoes," Bondan said. "In addition, to prevent the floods, there is also the challenge to ensure that it flows the right amount of water in the dry season."

Batavia canals were added in the early 17th century by Jan Pieterszoon Coen in order, wanted a company official who studied in Venice and a similar waterway transport system in the hub. Batavia canals would inspire the infamous canals of Amsterdam later.

However, had some of the Batavia canals are converted into streets when carrying water sedimentation of Mount Salak eruption stagnated. Other canals were built in the episode in the centuries to come, as the Molenvliet in Jl. Hayam Wuruk-Gajah Mada, the Mookervaart in Jl. Daan Mogot, channel Banjir Barat and Timur channel Banjir. But the floods come again.

Marco Kusumawijaya referred Restu Gunawan book Gagalnya Sistem channel ( "Failure of the Canal system"), which tells the story of flood control in the 20th century in Batavia and problems Dutch channels can not solve. Canals ultimately fail, because even larger installed, it promotes the development, only aggravates the causes of floods

Marco mathematical formula for the flooding is .:

F = SR - (Q1 + Q2)

F "Flood", SR be "runoff" Q1 natural drainages such as rivers and lakes, and Q2 are artificial channels to be to be.

most of the time, try to control the people flooding through Q2 maximization: canals, dams, reservoirs. Such projects are often given to private companies in order to enable them to make economically and politically advantageous.

"But is Q2 increases, reduced without SR as of running water a larger glass put under a tap. Sure, it holds more water, but unless the faucet is turned off, would the glass yet overcrowded finally, no matter how big it is, "Marco said.

Jakarta has a large amount of natural rainfall and SR of excess water from West Java highlands alone. And then there are the additional outflow of population growth, developments that take surfaces produced by human settlements and industries-some for groundwater absorption and waste, pull the deep groundwater but it can not put in the ground.

Efforts SR belong to curb reforestation and groundwater recharge through injection wells. "They are not politically" sexy "because they require the decentralization and the empowerment of people," Marco said.

"Q2 measures are becoming increasingly popular as a rule, because they put money into the infrastructure, thus giving the impression of modernization. In comparison, SR measures tend the impression curtails development." Afforestation, for example, can spending tax money demand to buy and easy to save, without to develop on the expensive land no moneymaking investments hectares of rainforest.

to SR to promote measures Marco said that the government and enterprises to assure the public that it is acceptable to invest in them is important. "The sustainable way is always a challenge, but the technology makes it possible. It's just not well embedded in the system," Marco said. These technologies include permeable drainage to absorb the effluent plants that act as a natural water purifier and to keep absorber biopores and "green roofs" the water.

can also go development and flood protection go hand in hand with planning statutes implementing that regulate the intensification of land use and limits on floor area ratio. Unfortunately, many businesses to give them hurt with under-the-table cash transactions.

"This is because our government and our people still lack a scientific mentality," Marco said. To be "To stop him, damages must be calculable, and it needs legal procedures to punish its perpetrators. Certainly, this will increase development costs and reduce profits, but it also disciplined the market by forced efficiently . companies need to start including SR measures under its normal cost of doing business. it is only a few million rupiah costs. "

" in order to have zero floods of Jakarta, there must be zero corruption, "he added , "Sustainability is the only way to go if we want to survive. We must first believe that we need to survive, and that in order to make the technology possible."

rujak Center for Urban Studies
Gedung Ranuza 2nd Floor
Jl Timor No. 10
Menteng, Jakarta Pusat 10350
http://www.rujak.org

rujak ( "Ruang Jakarta ") is a nonprofit organization dedicated to exchange ideas and commit to actions that turn Jakarta into a better, sustainable city. The rujak site is regularly updated with entries on urban planning and architecture, and announces upcoming public discussion.

Vintage Home in East Java -

civilization of Java boasts elaborate artistic traditional architecture, the test benches of time. But people often forget that Java is not only home to the Javanese and Sundanese. One of these lesser-known ethnic groups is the Osing of Banyuwangi.

After a temple-hopping trip through Java, I landed in Banyuwangi my last stop on the eastern end of Java up to the narrow street crossing to Bali. Of course, one of the first things I asked locals, when I arrived the architecture was. After learning that the so-called "Desa Wisata Osing" I was so excited to visit was neither desa (village), nor a place for wisata (tourist attraction), yet it has something particularly Osing, the hotel manager a few blocks away on a strange door.

I ended up in Sanggar Genjah Arum, a 4000 square meter plot, the centuries-old showcased knocking outdoors told me Show osing houses in the middle of a lush garden. Soft bamboo angklung music from the top of a tall bamboo tower played at the entrance of which a 360 ° view of the surrounding rice fields, coffee plantations and the village is visible.

The property owner, Setiawan "Ivan" Subekti is, since 1997 gathers Osing houses, to save them sold by about Balinese craftsmen who would take them apart and they recycle in luxury furniture for the export market.

Ivan a coffee plantation owners and an internationally recognized Coffee Tasters, he continually welcomed coffee lovers in his house. One of the striking features of the property is a stylish cafe bar decorated with traditional ornaments Osing as Gandrung and barong .

"These houses are made of wood and benda three to five generations old," said Ivan. Benda ( Artocarpus elasticus ), also known as Terap or Brazilian rubber, native to the western half of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Banyuwangi used benda forests to be. Benda wood can remain intact for over 100 years, up to 45 meters in ideal Wild grow (or generally up to nine meters in Java) does not easily break or bend, and naturally repels termites. Timbre be used for the construction of houses traditionally harvested a year in advance by ripping the tree trunk for sap and leaves slowly bleeding to death. This process makes the wood extremely robust.

The Osing house consists of benda framework, which can be easily dismantled, transported and reassembled. The columns are attached to a foundation in the ground, and support a grid frame for the tiled roof. used to attach no nails, only pegs. Yet the structure of strange strong Iwan is a miniature model of the house holding frame that is strong enough to support the weight of an adult, which climbs at the top

Typically, the house is divided into three sections :. The porch, the bedroom and the kitchen. The stem is typically used as an outdoor living room where guests are entertained and held joint discussions. The bedroom is in the walls of woven bamboo called gedhék Pipil traditionally included. You do not need window, as the wall of the warp and weft threads, so that the air for ventilation to penetrate. Alternatively Ivan also changes some of its houses with ornate wooden walls.

traceable Originating in the Majapahit era, Osing architecture and design blends seamlessly Javanese, Balinese, Chinese, Islamic, Hindu Buddhist and pagan elements in a lively but graceful look. Timbul, an elder of Kemiren, explained that the Osing house and its ornaments are loaded with Osing philosophy of marriage and family

"There are different types of Osing houses :. The double roof cerocogan , the triple roof baresan and fourfold roof tikelbalung . the cerocogan is usually built for young men and women in their late teens. at that time, tertiary education under the Osing was not very common, as young men and women would fall in love and get married, "Timbul said.

"The baresan symbolizes conflict and temptations after the wedding. Happiness is not automatically in a marriage because the spouses to work it out and resolve to get through whatever trials come their way. and when they do it, they have children and later grandchildren. This is their home fully what the tikelbalung is all about, "the elder continued.

The Osing are descendants of citizens of Blambangan, one from the 13th to 18th century Hindu kingdom, which survived the great Majapahit Empire and long resisted the Dutch East India Company. During this time, the spread of Islam and the struggle for colonial and local royal forces in Java Hindus drove east to migrate to Bali, so make Blambangan (now Banyuwangi) a buffer zone.

After Timbul when the Dutch to protect invaded in the 18th century Blambangan from the Hindu Balinese who conspired to clean Nusantara ethnic groups today. The Dutch would ask their targets before they check to attack if they were Balinese, to which the target would answer ". O sing ... ngelawan sing " ( "Oh, no ... I not fight you. ")

Dutch release any person who answered this and assumed that they belong to a previously unknown strain that" these people could be Javanese Osing "-Where indeed called, Balinese , Madurese, or anything else. The "Osing" has been identified as a people since, converted to Islam in particular, and a clear message both Javanese and Balinese related.

Perhaps it is because of this conscious decision, that harmony will unite a crucial concept in the Osing home. A roof obliquely downward symbolizes humility and courtesy in Osing society. Bamboo or wooden walls symbolize modesty and simplicity. The Semanggi (Klee) Ornament symbolizes peace and happiness in a well-fed budget. The selimpetan (sunflower with Swastika) symbolizes the infinite love of a man and a woman. The Kawung symbolizes loyalty and satisfaction in a spouse for life. And the sun symbolizes light hopes, warmth and joy in the household.

Other things in Ivan are to enjoy at home sites of the neighbors the rice fields with a pair of Balinese cattle, demonstrations of plantain fiber fabric weaving plowing, vintage collection of coffee roasting and brewing equipment of Ivan and naturally rare mixtures of Ivan the coffee taste and tea while listening to his collection of jazz records. If you are lucky, you can be the other friends in the company of Ivan, many of them are Banyuwangi resident artists who like to share a local perspective on their history and culture.

Sanggar Genjah Arum (home Setiawan Subekti)
Desa Kemiren
Kecamatan Glagah
Banyuwangi
East Java

Painting the colors of literacy in East Indonesia -

East Indonesia is a kingdom a million miracles. A region rich in panoramic landscapes, biodiversity and ancestral traditions, much of eastern Indonesia remains relatively uncorrupted by modern forces. But at the same time this represents the other side of reality: infrastructure, education and literacy remain major challenges are

[1945006DieseHerausforderungen] moved the heart the 37-year-old Nila Tanzil. They fell in love with the beauty of eastern Indonesia during her post as a communications consultant for a joint venture company responsible for protecting Komodo National Park. At the time, often traveled to Nila villages around Flores and spent time with local children whose extracurricular activities were primarily play on the beach or collecting firewood.

Today Nila 26 libraries opened throughout eastern Indonesia. Some of these libraries prospects gorgeous natural waterfronts and located in historic colonial buildings, housed local ritual houses, and the village art workshops. These libraries, called Taman Pelangi Bacaan ( "Rainbow Reading Gardens") have come to a sanctuary of literacy for children aged 6 to 12, to read with enthusiasm.

But it was not always so. In 09, as Nila first came to Flores, she learned that literacy was remarkably low among students. Nusatenggara Timur happens to be the province with the highest illiteracy rates lowest on national examinations and major challenges in both the infrastructure and the education system.

"Children learn to be to spell out, as they were in the first class, but many illiterate well remain in the third grade," Nila said. been "A middle school teacher once told me about an illiterate student. I thought, how could a middle school student to pass the primary school examination without reading and writing to be? It turned out that the student had supported throughout the examination by a teacher who would whisper the answers to him. "

Nila knew she had to do something for the children of East Indonesia. Finding out that education is the key to this change decided Nila go for a need that has long remained unfulfilled: literacy. "Books are the windows to the world," Nila said. "I want them to love literacy and fall in love with books. But as they are to fall in love with books if the books do not have here? Many Eastern Indonesians fighting food to put on the table, so more to put on books. "

After initiated the idea in November 09, the first Taman Pelangi Bacaan opened in Rowe, Manggarai Barat. Besides Flores and other islands in Komodo National Park, the libraries are now found in remote villages in Lombok, Sumbawa, Timor, Bandanaira and South Sulawesi. These libraries are made by volunteers from mainly local teachers.

"It is Pelangi , because this project includes many ethnicities, races and colors, like a rainbow. Put them together and you end up with something beautiful, in a mission to combine expertise to maintain in the East Indonesian children and to enlighten, "Nila continued.

Nila said that the first step children get to read to bring the books close to them. With schools often to be far away from the villages, it is therefore important to make it fun for them. To not believe the children, as they are doing more homework for school, Taman Pelangi Bacaan is loaded with fun illustrated books.

"I fell in books from reading Donald Duck and Bobo magazine" Nila said. "At least even if the children can not read, they would pick up a brightcoloured book like Tintin or Asterix & Obelix. They would reflect the pages, curious with the story behind the pictures, and it would motivate them to read. "

" If the children already love reading, she had read something, "added Nila. One day a father came to Nila to tell her that his son scored 0% on his science exam. not learn the Son, the answers from the class, but of an illustrated encyclopedia Taman Pelangi Bacaan .

On another day, teacher Nila said that the compositions of the children in the Bahasa Indonesia improve examination because now their plans are clearer and vocabulary. Nila calls such messages "small victories", remember that most of these native languages ​​of children are not Indonesian and that their cultures often based on oral tradition.

If Nila first met the children and asked them what they aspire to be when they grow up, their answers were always "teaching" or "pastoring". knew The only other professions these children were agriculture and fisheries. But now literacy has excited the imagination of children, helped them to recognize other professional needs in their community, and inspire them to dream of professions, who are different from their parents. Other aspirations now among these children are always engineers, architects, part entrepreneur and writer.

Nila also remembers a time, could dream as children in Komodo National Park only from traveling to Labuan Bajo in West Flores. "Not even Bali", Nila, often their photos of trips distributed to the children abroad said. "But she now visits far off places dream as Thailand, Cambodia, Japan and the UK."

Nila believes that literacy in children care is a project that affect them for a lifetime. "I hope someday these kids get scholarships, left the village to go to university, are are successful professionals, their community do proud then come back to develop their hometowns."

While Taman Pelangi Bacaan is an agent of change and progress in Eastern to be Indonesia, Nila it is also a place to make, where local traditions continue to flourish. Taman Pelangi Bacaan holds storytelling programs where volunteers illustrated versions of local ancestors folklore or show it with Origami would read. Some libraries also offer traditional dance and music lessons.

more than 20,000 books to move between 11 islands, Taman Pelangi Bacaan cooperates with airlines and ship owners to turn the collection of libraries every six months. Some even help locals who books transported inland with their trucks, private cars and motorcycles.

"I am grateful for all volunteers in eastern Indonesia and Jakarta, as well as those who have donated books. They are the real people in service, fighting at the head of Taman Bacaan Pelangi "Nila said.

have

created in their spare time, the libraries as a personal project to life, Nila has recently decided to commit full-time Taman Pelangi Bacaan . Moreover, Nila is to write a book about their travels in Eastern Indonesia and to paint their journey from the colors of literacy among the nation's children.

more about Taman Pelangi Bacaan, literacy in Eastern Indonesia learn, volunteer or donate, visit www.tamanbacaanpelangi.com.

Dana TourGuide -

left his village at the age of nine and on the streets of Jalan Diponegoro, the main street Denpasar found alone and homeless, that's history Dana.

Dana rely on the good heartedness of others and only one meal for some time on the day kicked until his entrepreneurial skills in and he began to flower to survive for sale. About a year later, he secured a job at a construction site to earn Rp.45,000 per month. Survey of Street Scenes from above on a scaffold showed him another side of life. Dana could see a world of tourists and visitors from other countries and as tourism boomed around him, as was his curiosity.

The realization that he needed to learn English and to speak when he should proceed, he has a written international English College. Tuition fees were Rp.30,000 a month and living on only a Rp.15,000 month turned out to be very challenging. He knew that at that time, the victim would be worth, and seven months later he concluded.

Dana secured then to learn a job as an office boy in a travel agency, where he worked for five years more on tourism and what was needed to be a tour guide. This led him to start his own business at age 17 and to be an entrepreneur with the support of some financial support from friends, he was now his own boss and on his way.

The year 05 was a pivotal one for Dana when he had a chance meeting with a businessman from Australia, the courses was carried out in one of the five star hotels in Ubud. Rex from Australia turned out to be a major influence in Dana life, and his advice was "to keep planting the garden and would come the butterflies". This year, he met the love of his life and married.

Shortly after this time, he has a tour company began, and in 07 joined to another chance meeting with some travel agencies from Australia, the Dana took into her world and helped him with a few well-connected people in the industry purchase. Dana now has five vans and a very busy and successful companies, so the butterflies have truly arrived.

From Dana experience and a very difficult life on the streets of Bali to survive, he has learned many things, however, he will never forget the kindness that he can get from many people on the road and want to go back now to give, provides training and education for young children through its "Chicken Little" English teaching program in his local village. It also supports an orphanage in Tabanan and has to help a provision other Balinese to start their gardens and to gain more in their world.

The amazing thing about this man is his attitude and his wonderful sense of humor. He is an example of how tourism promotes the positive aspects of progress and growth in Bali.

Dana always looking for English teaching volunteers to help with its Chicken Little school, a home-based village school on Sunday morning. Please contact him if you want to help, and if someone needs a reliable, happy guide, Dana can is on 0813387047 or dana@takeiteasybali.com

David a Bali can be contacted expat residents and organizes photography tours throughout Indonesia, specializing in Bali. www.davidmetcalfphotography.com